Also called firewheel and sundance, this hairy annual is native to northern Mexico and southern and central US from Arizona east to Florida, and the Carolinas and north to Nebraska where it grows in the sandy soils of deserts, plains, and disturbed areas such as roadsides and vacant lots. It is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisy, yarrow, and lettuce. The plants grow up to 12-24″ tall and are branched from the base. The 3-4″ long gray-green leaves are oblanceolate to spatulate and mostly basal. From late spring to frost flowerheads up to 2″ wide appear. Each flowerhead has a center of purplish disc flowers surrounded by 10-20 red, yellow, or bicolor ray flowers. The flowerheads are attractive to butterflies and give way to seedheads that are attractive to birds. Cultivars are available with flowers that are double and vary in color. Indian blanket flower is drought, heat, and salt tolerant and good in the vase. It is a good choice for borders, containers, and seaside, meadow, wildlife, native plant, butterfly, cottage and cutting gardens. The genus name, Gaillardia, honors Gaillard de Charentonneau, a French magistrate and botany enthusiast. The specific epithet, pulchella, is the diminutive of the Latin word pulcher, meaning beautiful.
Type: Annual
Bloom: Flowerheads up to 2″ wide with purplish disc flowers surrounded by red, yellow, or bicolor ray flowers from early spring to frost
Size: 1-2′ H x 2′ W
Light: Full sun; tolerates some shade
Soil: Average, dry to moderately moist, well-drained
Hardiness: Not applicable
Care: Deadhead to prolong bloom
Pests and Diseases: Aphids, thrips; leaf and root rot in poorly drained soil
Propagation: Seed; may selfseed.
Companion Plants: Russian sage, white yarrow, Coreopsis spp
Outstanding Selections:
‘Lorenziana’ (quilled ray flowers in red, yellow and bicolor)
‘Red Plum’ (double brick-red flowers)
‘Yellow Plum’ or Yellow Sun’ (double yellow flowers)
Photo Credit: Wikimedia
Karen